EDUCATION
University of Missouri-Columbia
Bachelor of Journalism (editing emphasis) | Dec. 2013
Minor in Business
Université libre de Bruxelles
Semester Abroad | Fall 2013
EXPERIENCE
Managing Editor | LawnStarter | Austin, TX | March 2021 → March 2024
Led team of 10 to drive link building strategy, coordinating across teams to ensure timely delivery and top performance
Top Accomplishments
- Increased monthly backlinks by 900% within two years from media outlets like The NY Times, CBS, and NBC
- Consistently exceeded backlink and production goals for 12 straight quarters
- Propelled awareness of 10 new sibling brands by replicating and implementing successful link building strategy designed for LawnStarter
- Halved data collection time by training data research team on advanced scraping tools and techniques
- Enhanced team performance and introduced document version control by centralizing editorial workflow trackers, drafts, and digital assets
Responsibilities
- Spearheaded ideation, data research, editorial review, production, distribution, and performance analysis of data-driven content as primary driver of link building strategy
- Developed and maintained off-page SEO editorial calendar across portfolio of 11 home improvement brands
- Supervised and mentored writers on storytelling, SEO, and content marketing best practices
- Proofread, fact-checked, and edited multi-channel content for grammar, mechanics, voice, tone, style, clarity, consistency, and accuracy
- Managed web producers and reviewed content in CMS for on-page SEO, accuracy, formatting, graphics quality, and interactivity
- Leveraged analytics tools to track and improve data-driven content performance
- Served as subject-matter expert in interviews by media outlets covering data-driven content
- Developed in-house style guide for off-page SEO content and enforced rules
- Analyzed content and production procedures quarterly to identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities
- Provided editorial support on UX wireframe copy, guest articles, and evergreen blog content
- Managed and coordinated relationship with content syndication partner (Stacker)
Senior Editor | Boundless Immigration | Seattle, WA | April 2018 → Feb. 2021
As sole editor on team, directed omni-channel content strategy, partnering with cross-functional teams to plan and execute quarterly content initiatives and marketing campaigns
Top Accomplishments
- Drove SEO strategy, leading to 950% upsurge in organic traffic within 16 months
- Successfully prevented legal challenges against organization by training all personnel on communicating with industry-compliant language with public and enforcing rules through approval process
- Minimized interactions between customer success team and customers, as well as leads and sales team, by developing and launching knowledge base
Responsibilities
- Collaborated with product, marketing, design, and customer success teams to align content with messaging, brand guidelines, and strategic goals
- Managed editorial calendars and production cycles across all departments
- Edited blog content for grammar, mechanics, voice, tone, style, clarity, consistency, accuracy, and SEO
- Reviewed and approved marketing, product, and customer success copy, focusing on optimization for readability, conversion performance, and industry compliance
- Hired and supervised freelance creative team, ensuring regular stream of high-quality thought leadership content
- Used analytics tools to monitor and improve content performance based on business goals
Senior Writer | WalletHub.com | Washington, DC | May 2014 → Dec. 2017
Played key role in building brand awareness and SEO growth
Top Accomplishments
- Promoted to Senior Writer in first year
- Earned hundreds of backlinks per month from national, regional, and local media outlets by packaging data research into compelling stories
Responsibilities
- Researched complex personal finance topics, such as bankruptcy, credit cards, and travel spending, articulating these into informative plain-language guides for consumers
- Supported editorial team with writing, editing, proofreading, and fact-checking on blog, landing pages, product pages, and other digital assets
- Coached junior writers on SEO best practices and writing for mobile-first audience
Journalism Intern | European Youth Forum | Brussels, Belgium | Fall 2013
Assisted in day-to-day communications needs and led launch of Forum’s online magazine
Top Accomplishments
- Automated mass outreach for first time by building robust database of European media contacts
- Facilitated smooth and on-time launch of organization’s digital magazine
Responsibilities
- Drafted press communications and blog posts in response to current events and policies affecting European youth rights
- Edited, proofread, and fact-checked guest articles contributed to European news agencies
- Designed infographics and other digital assets
Arts & Books Editor | Vox Magazine | Columbia, MO | Summer 2013
Oversaw Arts & Books content production and built relationships with local artistic and literary communities for stories
Top Accomplishments
- Earned “Best Line Editor” recognition from magazine staff by consistently delivering flawless copy for print and digital formats
- Drove 30-40% spike in site traffic over four weeks by producing an engaging “date night” blog series
Responsibilities
- Set publishing schedules and assigned feature stories to writers
- Edited, proofread, and fact-checked drafts, galleys, and tablet format proofs, ensuring error-free, polished copy
- Directed artwork, loaded content in CMS, and promoted content across social media
- Mentored writers on storytelling, mining for story ideas, and editing best practices
- Served as assistant managing editor on two issues
Enterprise Reporter | Columbia Missourian | Columbia, MO | Jan. 2012 → May 2012
Contributed original reporting to enterprise beat and covered breaking news
Top Accomplishments
- Wrote high-impact stories including the environmental threat of a new ethanol-gasoline blend, a successful resident’s mission to help disadvantaged children succeed, and the Joplin (Missouri) Globe team’s coverage of the devastating 2011 tornado
Responsibilities
- Conducted interviews, pitched story ideas to editors, and wrote compelling stories
- Loaded and formatted articles in CMS
Editor | [sh]out Magazine | Columbia, Missouri | Jan. 2012 → May 2012
- Managed 30-member volunteer staff to refocus campus LGBTQ magazine’s editorial direction
- Presented on best reporting practices and sensitivity toward LGBTQ community to campus interest groups and a magazine staff
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Member Payroll Assistant | MD & VA Milk Producers Coop. Assn., Inc. | Reston, VA | Dec. 2005 → July 2008
- Assisted with preparing bimonthly payroll for 1,500+ cooperative members and delivery partners
- Analyzed payroll statements; issued payroll advances and payment adjustments; identified and corrected discrepancies; prepared checks and direct deposits; and entered high volumes of data into custom accounting system
- Served as backup for accounts payable department as needed
SKILLS
Applications and Tools
Editorial: Writing, Editing (Substantive, Developmental, Copy, Line), Proofreading, Fact-Checking, Style Guide Development, Editorial Calendar Construction and Management
Style Guides: AP, European Commission
Workflow Management: Trello, Airtable
SEO: Semrush, Ahrefs, Off-Page SEO, Link Building, Keyword Research, Competitor Analysis, Gap Analysis, Content Auditing, On-Page Optimization
Data Analytics: Google Analytics, Heap
Data Scraping and Visualization: Data Miner, Datawrapper, Infogram, Canva, Adobe InDesign
CMS: WordPress
Programming Languages: HTML, Markdown
Other Programs
- TaxWise Professional Tax Software
- QuickBooks Small Business Pro
Languages
- Filipino/Tagalog fluency
- Basic French and Spanish
Affiliations
- ACES: The Society for Editing
- Golden Key International Honour Society
- Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Outreach and Service
- GUEST SPEAKER: “Adulting 101: Finance Topics”, Mississippi School of the Arts | March 2017
- IRS-CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide | Spring 2016
- SECRETARY, Asian-American Journalists Association-Mizzou (University of Missouri-Columbia Chapter) | Fall 2012 → Spring 2013
- GUEST SPEAKER: “Best Practices for Covering the LGBTQ Community”, Vox Magazine | May 2012
- VOLUNTEER, Habitat for Humanity | Spring 2012
- COFOUNDER, Letters 4 Kids Foundation (George Mason University Chapter) | Spring 2006 → Summer 2008
Richie Bernardo 